Insulating window



Oct. 1940.

` `E; D. WAHL, 2,216,332

INSULATING WINDOW Filed Jan. 14. 193

Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES PArENr OFFICE INsULATiNG WINDOW ,Edmund D. wahl, East st. Louis, 1u. Application January 14, 193s, serial N0.\1s4,944

. lating` space.

`lin `object of the invention is to provide an insulating window comprising a sash frame mounted in a window frame opening and having an inwardly extended or extruded portion along its upper, lower and vertical sides holding the window panes spaced apart, in combination with novel means for supporting the window panes in said frame in a relationship preventing passage of air` into and from the space separating said panes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved insulating window in which the spaced window panes are held in proper spaced relationship by bracing elements supported between them and engaging the adjacent surfaces of the panes to strengthen them without interfering with the free flow of air from and to the different parts of the space.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved insulating window having the window panes separated by an intervening space, in combination with means for admitting air into or withdrawing air from said space as desired.

Other objects of the invention will be made apparent by thefollowing description, reference being made to the annexed drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is an inner side elevation of my improved insulating window.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional View approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of parts of vertical and horizontal spacers or braces mounted between the two window panes.

` The window sash frame in which the spaced glass panels are mounted includes top, bottom, and vertical side portions. This frame may be a unitary element including inwardly extended or extruded portions I and laterally extended attaching flanges 2 seating against the walls 3 of the window frame in which the window is mounted. Fasteners 4 extend through the attaching flanges 2 and into the walls 3, thereby rigidly securing the window sash frame within the window opening.

The inner pane 5 and the outer pane 6 in the embodiment shown are of equal dimensions and have their margins enclosed in elastic sealing gaskets 1 and 8, respectively, seating against the inner and outer sides of the inwardly extended or extruded portions I of the window sash frame. These sealing gaskets are rigidly clamped against (Cl. ISB- 64) the sides of the inwardly extended or extruded portions I by clamping frames, each of which is angular in cross-section and comprises an inwardly extended ange 9 engaging the outer surfaces `of the sealing gaskets 8, and outwardly extended flanges IIl seating against the attaching lianges 2 of the window sash frame and covering and concealing the fasteners II. These clamping frames are rigidly attached to the window sash frame `by removable and replaceable fasteners II passing through the anges 9 and into and through the sides of the inwardly extended or extruded portions I. Thus, the panes 5 and B are immovably supported by hermetic sealing gaskets which prevent air from passing into or from the space between said panes.

The window panes are strengthened and braced by vertical spacers or braces I2 having their upper and lower ends contacting or adjacent to the upper and lower portions of the window sash frame;

and by horizontal spacers or braces I3 interlocked i with the spacers or braces I2 by notches III in said spacers I2 and notches I5 in the spacers I3. The edges of the spacers I2 are provided with notches I6 and the edges of the spacers I3 are provided with notches Il, thereby preventing the formation of closed cells and providing for free movement of the air from and to any part of the space separating the panes 5 and 6.

A pipe I8 has one end attached to the window sash frame and opening into the space between the window panes. Said pipe extends into a compartment I9 in one of the walls 3 and is provided with a laterally extended portion in said compartment. A valve 2| in the pipe portion 2D provides means for opening and closing said pipe for admission of air into the space between the planes 5 and B or for withdrawal of air therefrom. The outer end of the pipe portion 20 is provided with means 22 for attachment with a tube or hose connected with any appropriate pump device (not shown) for forcing air into the space between the panes 5 and 6 or for withdrawing air from said space. At the conclusion of such operation, the

valve 2| should be closed before the pump device' is detached from connection with the part 22. A closure 23 for the compartment I9 is mounted on a support 24 for movement to positions to open and close said compartment.

It is now apparent that this invention attains all of its intended objects and purposes in an economical, efficient and satisfactory manner. 'Ihe entire device may be manufactured and installed at comparatively low cost and maintained as a permanent window device through all seasons. However, if desired, either one of the window panes may be removed without disturbing the other. The invention may be varied within the scope of equivalent limits Without departure from the nature and principle thereof.

I claim:

1. An insulating window comprising a rigid frame having inwardly extended pane-spacing portions along its upper, lower and vertical sides, outwardly extended attaching anges integral with the opposite sides of said portions, fasteners extending through said fianges at opposite sides of said portions and rigidly attaching said frame within a window opening, a pair of window panes having their margins extending at opposite sides of said portions, elastic sealing means inclosing the margins of said panes, angular clamping frames concealing and preventing access to said fasteners, and removable and replaceable fasteners passing through said clamping frames inwardly into said pane-spacing portions between said sealing means and said flanges for clamping said last named frames closely against said sealing means to form hermetic joints.

2. An insulating window comprising a unitary frame having inwardly extended pane-spacing portions along its upper, lower and vertical sides, fasteners extending through opposite marginal portions of said frame and rigidly attaching said frame Within a window opening, a pair of window panes having their margins extending at opposite sides of said portions, elastic sealing gaskets enclosing the margins of said panes, angular clamping frames concealing and preventing access t said fasteners, removable and replaceable fasteners passing through said clamping frames inwardly into said pane-spacing portions between said gaskets and said anges for clamping said last named frames closely against said gaskets to form hermetic joints, a series of laterally spaced vertical braces between said panes and having their upper and lower ends adjacent to said upper and lower spacing portions and having unobstructed notches in their edges for the passage of air and also having supporting notches, and a series of horizontal braces seated in said supporting notches in vertically spaced relationship and having notches in their edges for the passage of air.

EDMUND D. WAHL. 

